5.10 recall that incomplete combustion of fuels may produce carbon monoxide and explain that carbon monoxide is poisonous because it reduces the capacity of the blood to carry oxygen

       

What are the properties of carbon monoxide?    Carbon Monoxide is a colourless, odourless, tasteless gas that is roughly the same density as air. Carbon Monoxide has a higher affinity for haemoglobin than Oxygen and bonds more quickly with red blood cells. This results in rapid and intense Oxygen deprivation and can be fatal.

Explain how carbon monoxide is formed.    Carbon Monoxide is formed through incomplete combustion. When a flame is burning in oxygen, the oxygen is normally used in the combustion to make Carbon Dioxide (One Carbon and two Oxygen molecules). However, when there is not enough oxygen in the air around the flame to complete the combustion reaction, Carbon Monoxide (One Carbon and one Oxygen molecule) is formed instead of the Carbon Dioxide.

Explain why carbon monoxide is poisonous.    Carbon Monoxide has a higher affinity for haemoglobin than Oxygen and bonds more quickly with red blood cells. This results in rapid and intense Oxygen deprivation because the Oxygen is unable to bond with the red blood cells and cannot reach one’s vital organs. Carbon Monoxide poisoning is basically a form of suffocation.